Manuel Pellegrini: My Man City side are the Real deal

MAN-TASTIC: City have bagged 92 goals under Pellegrini [ACTION IMAGES]

The Chilean boss, 60, had just one season at the Bernabeu and was sacked in favour of Jose Mourinho before he could become a trophy winner.

That was with a side that the Madrid board had improved by spending £80million on Cristiano Ronaldo, £66m on Kaka, plus £30m apiece on Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema.

But now he can conclude that unfinished business at a club he sees as an identikit of the Real Madrid philosophy.

In his brief spell in charge, they netted a record 102 goals and amassed 96 points but still could not win La Liga.

Now his goal-glut Blue-print has left City riding high in four major competitions with 92 strikes in the bank.

Much of it is due to summer signings Alvaro Negredo, Fernandinho and Jesus Navas who formed part of a £100m spending spree that also saw Martin Demichelis and Stevan Jovetic arrive at The Etihad.

Pellegrini had offers to manage across the globe but he is delighted he has found a soul-mate where his dreams and those of his players and fans can be fulfilled.

Asked if City are playing the Real Madrid way, he said: "Yes, very similar. It was a big shame that I just had one season there. In that season we scored 102 goals and collected 96 points.

"It was the best record in Real Madrid at that time.

"We did pretty good work but we had an incredible Barcelona team against us and we needed to do better.

"Why did I lose my job? Don't ask me. That's the past.

LEADING THE CHARGE: Negredo and Kompany have been inspirational this season [REUTERS]

“The biggest reason I came here was because City wanted to play the way I wanted”

Manuel Pellegrini

"But when I finished at Real Madrid I had a lot of options to go to different countries and important clubs everywhere.

"That's why for me it was important I chose Malaga because it was a challenge for me.

"It was a relatively new club but it was one which would bring in good players.

"I decided to go to that club because I could manage important players.

"Then Manchester City went for me. It wasn't a case of my agent touting for me.

"I was very happy at Malaga and I said if I couldn't carry on there I would study where I could go.

"The biggest reason I came here was because City wanted to play the way I wanted.

"I have won a lot of titles in my career in South America. In Europe it's very difficult but I don't have any problems in that sense.

"To win titles with my other clubs, Villarreal and Malaga, is impossible but I'm absolutely sure that I will be very happy here if I can win a title in England with Manchester City.

"Not just to win the title but to win how I win it. I did it at Malaga, Villarreal and Real Madrid - all my teams were playing the way I wanted. Not just attacking but trying to defend and to keep the ball. Trying to do a lot of things in the 90 minutes of a match.

"How many goals can we score? As many as possible.

"Can we beat the Real Madrid record? I don't know. But we will continue to score as many as we can in every match.

"Everyone talks about the goals we score but it's important that we don't concede.

"For me the most important pressure is my pressure. In Madrid I felt the same pressure as at Villarreal and now in Manchester and with Malaga."

City are certainly thriving under Pellegrini's leadership as they go boldly in search of glory.

He added: "I don't have a time limit in my mind.

"I will continue until I sense that I want a new challenge again. I do it because I like working.

"Also I have a good club to do it so I hope to carry on for at least five more years."